Do I need a different brush?

[Shave Ready]

Hi all - when I started wetshaving back in August, I really didn't have much direction to go on with regards to brush selection. And my primary criteria was that it must be available on Amazon. As a result, this is what I ended up with:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ET1ATU/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00

Fast forward to the present, with some experience under my belt, I'm wondering if I should pick up a different brush? I seem to notice that my face starts to feel a little irritated after the second pass - I'd like to believe that it's not my shaving technique but instead maybe the application of bristles to face after the first pass. So I turn to the collective expertise of this forum. Is the brush a dud? Is there a better brush that can handle both soaps and creams but at the same time be relatively gentle to my face? I'm a budget conscious shaver, so I wouldn't want to spend more than $50 or so - hopefully that is reasonable.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[AABCDS]

You could try a Vintage Blades brush for $30.00 or less. Here's a thread about it.

There's also the H.I.S. synthetic for $34.95 from Amazon.

 

[Price]

First of all, welcome to B&B!

I'm afraid the most likely culprit if you're experiencing irritation is, in fact, your technique. There's a world of advice sitting here on the forums, maybe you can pick up a tip or two that will help. (Pressure & blade angle are the first things that come to mind.)

However, it is entirely possible that the brush is at least contributing to less-than-ideal lather, which in turn will contribute to irritation. There are plenty of viable options within your price range. James' suggestion is an excellent example, but look around and you'll likely find one that fits your aesthetic.

You haven't been around long enough to know that if you're asking on this forum whether or not you should buy more stuff, the answer is always going to be "yes".

 

[gmgaj]

It's black badger. It is more scratchy than the higher grades of badger.

You could look at whipped dog silvertips. That will put you into a brush with a softer knot for $26 with a plastic handle or $35 with a pottery handle.

 

[catherix]

You could try a Vintage Blades brush for $30.00 or less. Here's a thread about it.

There's also the H.I.S. synthetic for $34.95 from Amazon.

+1 on the vintage blades brush. Haven't tried it but its very high on my Christmas list

 

[dpmtherrien]

There's nothing wrong with the brush you have now, and once you get your lather mixing down it'll be fine. However If you'd like a softer brush, then any of the better grade badger's will be fine. Find a brush that you like and get it in best or better badger if you think you'd like another.

 

[tomcj2]

It's black badger. It is more scratchy than the higher grades of badger.

You could look at whipped dog silvertips. .

I agree. I have a 24mm WhippedDog Silvertip and one of their Black Badgers. The difference is amazing. The ST is has very, very, soft tips while the Bb is "scritchy". I like both of them, but if I used the black all of the time I am sure that my face would be irritated. For $26 (at your door) you cannot go wrong with WhippedDog

 

[OkieStubble]

Black badger is very scritchy and can irritate someone with sensitive skin after several passes. An upgrade to a brush with softer tips is in order.

 

[GDCarrington]

You could try a Vintage Blades brush for $30.00 or less. Here's a thread about it.

There's also the H.I.S. synthetic for $34.95 from Amazon.

Both are good choices. If you want a larger brush go for the H.I.S. and if you want a smaller brush go for Vintage Blades.

 

[rxonmymind]

YES! You need at least five brushes

 

[deruitem]

Need - no. Nice to have O yea!

 

[celestino]

The suggestions above are very good ones, indeed. You could try the Vintage Blades one as it is such a cheap price for a soft brush or go with a synthetic such as a Frank Shaving which is even cheaper. Good luck.

 

[Elder Scrolls]

yes you do! we all do !

 

[Shave Ready]

Thanks all, for the excellent and on-point advice/observations! Even from the dirty rotten enablers!

However, it is entirely possible that the brush is at least contributing to less-than-ideal lather, which in turn will contribute to irritation.

Thanks Price - that's something else I forgot to mention - I struggle sometimes with making good lather from soap using the current brush. I have very recently started face lathering, which seems to work out better for me. Perhaps the extra contact of brush to face from face lathering might also be contributing to the irritation (in addition to my still-nascent shaving technique)?

Either way, it looks like I have some excellent candidates for brush upgrades for Christmas, and it also looks like I'm just going to have to continue working on my lather-making technique!